In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Are you frightened by the weight you possess
Or is this lie just weightlessness
Smoggy twilight in L.A.
I can't think of one real thing to say
And Robbie Williams is walking in the canyons
Forgets that we were friends
I guess it all depends on your mood
Why can't these med's be any damn good
And she said,
Why can't you be like my water pick shower massager
A sweet reliable machine
And to tell the truth
I don't feel less alone
My water massagers
The purest love I've ever known
Why can't you be, like when I was thirteen
He said
Why can't you be
Like an art house foreign movie
Frank and sexy red balloons and ennui
And aloof to me and
Why can't you be, a little more of a mystery
Why can't you be
The part of me that's missing
Instead of leaving me for some other
Say we're perfect for each other
And we won't spend this life
Alone
She said,
Why can't you be
Like and out sourced government contract
And I'm a fat cat getting away with anything
Kicking some secret special powers
Illumination rounds in showers
'Cause your tearing our hair out
When we could have a bed of flowers
Why can't you be
Like the chicks out on the road
Some girls are happy just to see me
Cause you got moxie and a broken nose
You take em away from this prose
Sometimes a blow job's not enough
Why can't you play
A little less rough
Can we, just leave it be
We could live our lives
Separately
Could you forget
What happens to you and me
When we're dead
And we'll be dead
We'll have eternity
And I will spend it all
Missing you and me
So while I'm alive
I will always be
Seeking you out, wondering about
How'd we go so far down
And what's do wrong with you and me
Why can't you be, someone looking a little deeper into me
Like J.D. Sallenger,
Why do I challenge her
In all the surface ways that you displease
Why can't you be a little more at ease
Why can't you be, like a hand rolled cigarette
I'm not joking
This masochistic, self-pity of smoking
And this silly ditty that keeps provoking you
To leave me
Why can't you be like a candle I can snuff
You're still a diamond in the rough
And I swear to god I've had enough
How can I
Call your bluff
Or is this lie just weightlessness
Smoggy twilight in L.A.
I can't think of one real thing to say
And Robbie Williams is walking in the canyons
Forgets that we were friends
I guess it all depends on your mood
Why can't these med's be any damn good
And she said,
Why can't you be like my water pick shower massager
A sweet reliable machine
And to tell the truth
I don't feel less alone
My water massagers
The purest love I've ever known
Why can't you be, like when I was thirteen
He said
Why can't you be
Like an art house foreign movie
Frank and sexy red balloons and ennui
And aloof to me and
Why can't you be, a little more of a mystery
Why can't you be
The part of me that's missing
Instead of leaving me for some other
Say we're perfect for each other
And we won't spend this life
Alone
She said,
Why can't you be
Like and out sourced government contract
And I'm a fat cat getting away with anything
Kicking some secret special powers
Illumination rounds in showers
'Cause your tearing our hair out
When we could have a bed of flowers
Why can't you be
Like the chicks out on the road
Some girls are happy just to see me
Cause you got moxie and a broken nose
You take em away from this prose
Sometimes a blow job's not enough
Why can't you play
A little less rough
Can we, just leave it be
We could live our lives
Separately
Could you forget
What happens to you and me
When we're dead
And we'll be dead
We'll have eternity
And I will spend it all
Missing you and me
So while I'm alive
I will always be
Seeking you out, wondering about
How'd we go so far down
And what's do wrong with you and me
Why can't you be, someone looking a little deeper into me
Like J.D. Sallenger,
Why do I challenge her
In all the surface ways that you displease
Why can't you be a little more at ease
Why can't you be, like a hand rolled cigarette
I'm not joking
This masochistic, self-pity of smoking
And this silly ditty that keeps provoking you
To leave me
Why can't you be like a candle I can snuff
You're still a diamond in the rough
And I swear to god I've had enough
How can I
Call your bluff
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